Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the statement after a meeting with new French Ambassador to Viet Nam, Hever Bolot, yesterday.

Dung said Viet Nam-France ties had developed in many aspects, especially in economy, culture, education and training, science and technology but the development was not on a par with the two countries’ potential.

Therefore, the Vietnamese Government wanted to boost co-operation with France, especially in economy, trade, and investment, Dung said.

Hever Bolot thanked the PM for meeting him, saying he felt proud to work in Viet Nam, and that France-Viet Nam ties had developed well in many aspects.

He said he was co-ordinating with Viet Nam’s relevant sectors to prepare for PM Dung’s future visit to France, and hoped that the visit would open new opportunities for development between the two countries in different fields. Dung welcomed Bolot to Viet Nam, and said he hoped the ambassador would be a bridge to boost co-operation between the two sides in politics, diplomacy, economy, culture, education and training. - VNS